Switch



Oct. l, 1929. w. J. cHlLEs SWITCH Filed May l, 1928 2 SheeLS-Sheet Parental oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES WILLIAM JAMES CHILES, F WIGGINS, MISSISSIPPI SWITCH Application filed May 1, 1928. Serial No. 274,325.

This invention relates to switches and moreparticularly to a switch providing a universal gravity control for motors and more particularly for motors operating the controls of a dirigible vehicle, such as an aeroplane, submarine or the like to maintain the vehicle upon an even keel.

An important object of the invention is to provide a construction such that the switch l0 will serve not only as an automatic control but as a level, giving visual indication'of displacement of the vehicle from an even keel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction of this character permitting convenient combination of the switches controlling longitudinal and transverse displacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily and cheaply manufactured, which may be readily attached to the vehicle and which will-be durable and efficient in service.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein f- Figure 1 is a rear elevation of Aa switch constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure y1;

Figure 4; is a plan view of the switch;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view therethrough.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a tube, the central portion of the lower wall of which is depressed, as at 11, to provide a basin for the reception of conducting fluid, designated at 12. This fluid is preferably mercury or some other heavy substance r which will move smoothly in the tube as the tube is oscillated upon its longitudinal axis.

The tube is longitudinally divided by a vertical partition 13 which terminates short of the ends of the tube. In the ends of the tube are inserted threaded disks 14 of insulating material which seal both to the wallsof the tube and to the end of the partition. Each disk has directed through the upper portion thereof contacts 15 and 16, of wh1ch similar contacts at opposite ends of the tube project into opposite ends of the same chamber. Within the depression of the tube and in each chamber is disposed a contact element 17, the binding posts 18 of which extend through the wall of the tube.

In the construction of the completed switch, two of these tubes are employed arranged in superimposed relation with their axes at right angles to one another. A casing is provided for the tubes which is formed 1n sections 19, 20 and 21. The section 20 or intermediate portion forms a casing for one-half of each of the tubes, the casing 19 forms the lower half of the casing of the lower tube and the section 21 the upper half of the casing of the upper tube.

The casing section 21 has at its center one element 22 of a ball and socket joint, the other element 23 of which is constructed to permitV ready attachment thereof to the vehicle. The element 23 is so constructed that it may clamp upon the element 22 to hold the completed switch in a desired adjusted position. rllhe casing sections 20, 21 and 19, 20 are notched at their meeting edges which are disposed at the level of the fluid of these tubes when the tubes are horizontally positioned, so that this fluid may be observed through the resulting openings 24 to give a visible indication to the operator of the level of the vehicle. The construction illustrated is that where the lower tube is employed to indicate transverse inclination of lthe vehicle; The tube employed to indicate transverse inclination might be arranged uppermost, if so desired. In Figure 3, I have indicated the manner of connecting this switch with a motor to effect a reversal thereof. In this view, a source of energy B is shown as connected across the terminals of the tube. The field F of the motor M has each terminal thereof connected with the contact 15 at one end of the tube and the Contact 16 at the opposite end thereof. In making the connections of the second tube A of the switch, bus wires 26 are employed to connect the binding posts 18 thereof with the binding posts 18 of the first tube.

It will be obvious that 'upon inclination of the tube, which will cause the fluid 12 to connect the Contact 17 with the contacts 15 and 1G at 011e ond of the tube, the field will be energized and the motor Will rotate in one direction. When, however, the liquid engages the contacts 15 and 16 at the opposite end of the tube, the energization of the field F will be such that the motor M will oporate in the opposite direction.

With this motor connected with cont'ols, such as the elevators of an aeroplane (not herein shown), these controls will be shifted in opposite directions upon inclination of the tube in opposite directions. It will be obvious that b properly connecting the motor, the contro s may be positioned to correct inclination of the aeroplane and bring the same to a level keel.

A switch of this character may be readily and cheaply constructed and may be made of such size that it may be conveniently disposed at a desired point in the cockpit of a plane. It will also be obvious that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim l. In a switch for the purpose described, a pair of horizontal tubes disposed at right angles and each provided with a longitudinally extending vertical partition forming in the interior of the tube a pair of compartments, means sealing the tube vto the partition at the ends of each tube, a contact extending into each end of each compartment, a centrally located contact in each compartment, a conducting liquid within thecompartment and when the tubesv are horizontalI engaging only the central contact of the compartment, a rigid connection between the tubes, means for securing said tubes to a supporting surface permitting universal adjustment of the tubes with relation to said surface, said means connecting said tubes comprising a casing having openings formed in the walls thereof permitting observation of the liquid within the tubes.

2. In a switch for the purpose described,a pair of horizontal tubes disposed at right angles and each provided with a longitudinally extending vertical partition forming in the interior of the tube a pair of compartments, means sealing the tube to the partition at the ends of each tube, a contact extending into each end of each compartment, a centrally located contact in each compartment, a con-' ducting liquid within the compartment and when the tubes are horizontal engaging only the central contact of the compartment, and a casing enclosing said tubes formed in a plurality of sections adapted to be assembled about the tubes to rigidly connect the same, one of said sections having a spherical head secured thereto, and a split socket for engagement with said head and having means Whereby it may be attached to a supporting surface, and means associated with said socket for clamping the socket upon said spherical head.

3. In a switch for the purpose described, a pair of horizontal tubes disposed at right angles and each provided with a longitudinally extending vertical partition forming in the interior of the tube a pair of compartments, means sealing the tube to the partition at the ends of each tube, a contact extending into each end of each compartment, a centrally lol cated contact in each compartment, a conducting liquid within the compartment and when the tubes are horizontal engaging only the central contact of the compartment, a casing enclosing said tubes formed in a plurality of sections adapted to be assembled about the tubes to rigidly connect the same, one of said sections having a spherical head secured thereto and a split socket for engagement with said head and having means whereby it may be attached to ay supporting surface, and means associated with said socket for clamping the socket upon said spherical head, the abutting edges of said sections being at the approximate level of the liquid Within the tubes, said abutting edges having notches formed vtherein providing openings through which the liquid of the tubes may be observed.

4. In a switch for the urpose described, a pair of horizontal tubes isposed at right angles and each provided with a longitudinally extending vertical partition forming in the interior of the tube a pair of compartments, means sealing the tube to the partition at the ends of each tube,'a contact extending into each end of each compartment, a centrally located contact in each compartment, a conducting liquid within the compartment and when the tubes are horizontal engaging only the central contact of the compartment, a rigid connection between the tubes, means for securing said tubes to a supporting` surface permitting universal adjustment of the tubes with relation to said surface, and an electrical connection between the centrally located conltact of each compartment and the'centrally .located contact of the corresponding compartment of the other tube.

5.v In a switch for the purpose described, a. pair of horizontal tubes disposed at right angles and each provided with a longitudinally extending vertical partition forming in the interior of the tube a pair of compartments, means sealing thetube to the partition at the ends of' each tube, a contact extending into each end of each compartment, a centrally 1ocated contact in each compartment, a conductv ing liqlijiid within the compartment and when the tu es are horizontal engaging only the central Contact of the compartment, a casing enclosing said tubes formed in a plurality of sections adapted to be assembled about the tubes to rigidly connect the same, one of said sections having a spherical head secured thereto, a split socket for engagement with said head and having means whereby it may be attached to a supporting surface, means associated with said socket for clamping the socket upon said spherical head, and an electrical connection between the centrally 1ocated contact of each compartment and the centrally located contact of the corresponding compartment of the other tube.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

WILLIAM JAMES CHILES. 

